Rama seeks cash aid for water wells

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is asking at least P55.2 million financial assistance from Senator Ramon Revilla to finance the construction of 276 units of artesian wells he intend to put up in 31 upland barangays.

In his letter request to Revilla, Rama listed the construction of the artesian wells in the mountain barangays as among his priority projects.

Revilla earlier offered to give financial assistance to Cebu City from his Priority Development Assistance Fund provided that there is a request and a list of priority projects.

The 31 barangay beneficiaries include Adlaon, Agsungot, Babag, Bacayan, Binaliw, Bonbon, Budlaan, Buhisan, Buot-Taup, Busay, Cambinocot, Guba, Kalunasan, Lusaran, Mabini, Malubog, Pamutan, Paril, Pit-os, Pulangbato, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sapangdaku, Sinsin, Sirao, Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Tabunan, Tagba-o, Taptap and Toong.

Rama said he wants the artesian wells in the mountain barangays as additional source of potable water for the residents.

“One of the perennial problems of the 31 hilly land barangays of Cebu City is ample potable water supply,” Rama said in his letter addressed to Revilla.

Rama said the 31 barangays represent 73-percent of the total land area of the city with and elevation of 400 to 800 meters above sea level, which is the source of all food supply in the urban areas.

Rama said that several barangays have also requested for additional wells due to low water level that might not be enough to supply their constituents. The artesian wells will help cushion the impact of the dry season.

Aside from the 276 units of wells, the city is asking for 12 units of Inca tank and 50 rolls of hose. These 31 barangays were placed under state of calamity last year because of the effect of the El Niño phenomenon. — (FREEMAN)